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Cinnamon

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Cinnamon Cinnamomum verum herb illustration

Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum verum (syn. C. zeylanicum)

Family: Lauraceae  |  Parts Used: Inner bark

Cinnamon is a warming, aromatic herb long used in TCM, Ayurveda, Western herbalism, and Middle Eastern herbalism for its digestive, circulatory, and blood sugar-stabilizing properties. The inner bark contains essential oils, tannins, iron, magnesium, mucilage, zinc, and coumarins. It supports digestion, improves circulation, and addresses congestion, while also serving as a common culinary spice across many cultures.

Digestive Circulatory Respiratory TCM Ayurvedic Western Middle Eastern

Traditional Uses

Properties

Key Constituents

Preparations & Dosage

  • Infusion: 1/2 tsp powdered bark steeped in 1 cup boiling water, taken once or twice daily.
  • Tincture: 15-30 drops.
  • Culinary: Common kitchen spice; used in cooking, baking, and beverages across many traditions.

Note on species: Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum) is preferred for regular supplementation. Cassia cinnamon (C. cassia) contains high levels of coumarin, which may cause liver damage with prolonged high-dose use.

Spiritual & Folk Uses

Cinnamon is traditionally used in folk magic for love drawing and money drawing in mojo bags. It is also used as a floor wash for storefronts and sidewalks to attract business success.

Cautions

  • Avoid large doses in the early stages of pregnancy.
  • Cassia cinnamon (C. cassia) contains high levels of coumarin, which may cause liver damage with prolonged high-dose use. Prefer Ceylon cinnamon (C. verum) for regular supplementation.
  • May lower blood sugar; monitor closely if taking diabetes medications.
  • May interact with blood thinners and medications metabolized by the liver (CYP450 pathway).

Habitat & Growing Conditions

Native to India and Sri Lanka. Grows in moist, tropical regions. Not commonly cultivated in North America. The inner bark is harvested from the cinnamon tree and dried into the familiar quills (sticks) or ground into powder.

Related Articles

Sources & Research

The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, p. 75

Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, Rosemary Gladstar, p. 64

Published Research:

Zingiber officinale, Phyllanthus emblica, Cinnamomum verum, and Curcuma longa to support healthy Type 2 Diabetes: An Integrative Review | Current Diabetes Reviews (2023)

Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl - a versatile spice used in food and nutrition | Food Chemistry (2021)

Chemical composition and biological activities of two chemotype-oils from Cinnamomum verum J. Presl | Journal of Food Science and Technology (2020)

Immunomodulatory and traditional role of Cinnamomum verum extracts in collagen-induced arthritic BALB/c mice | Inflammopharmacology (2018)

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are under the care of a health care provider or taking prescription medication, check with your provider before using any herbal supplement.

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